Topcon RE-2 and 58mm 1.8 lens. Worth bothering with?

[AgX]

But why failed Topcon at the market, compared to Nikon and Canon?
That the Canoflex failed is generally stated to be due some lacks in construction in connection with bad marketing of the US import-agent, thus enabling Nikon to get ahead.

[PDH]

But why failed Topcon at the market, compared to Nikon and Canon?
That the Canoflex failed is generally stated to be due some lacks in construction in connection with bad marketing of the US import-agent, thus enabling Nikon to get ahead.

As I recall the Navy did not have good luck with Topcon, did not hold up well, the lens lineup was good but more limited than Nikon or Canon. This is rumor, Topcon used the Exakta mount with a small rear apatutre which made, making fast lens more expensive. When I was in the Air Force I attended a conferance with several Navy Photo mates, all they did was complain was Topcon. The story they told (dont know how stock to put in the story) was that Bessler was marketing Topcon and someone in procurment thought that Topcon was made in the US and there was a law in the 70s that gave US made product a peferance. By the late 70s the Navy had moved to the Canon F1, while the AF and Army stayed with Nikon. I also think that making several differnt mounts did not help.

[Roundabout]

Just to revive this thread to ask a question.

Does anyone know if it's easy to clean the finder of a Topcon RE-2? There's some dust and stuff in there.

[PhotoJim]

indeed - about 8 meters of film - and also a big unhandy electric motor attached.

You mean 80 metres.

[wiltw]

Just to revive this thread to ask a question.

Does anyone know if it's easy to clean the finder of a Topcon RE-2? There's some dust and stuff in there.

Like all cameras with fixed pentaprisms and focusing screens, you have to perhaps get at the focusing screen via the opening for the lens and/or get at the focusing screen and pentaprism through removal of the top plate. Best left to a repair technician. Best thing to do is to send it in for a CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust) and ensure that old lubricants have not gummed up and prevent things from operating smoothly, and ask that the focusing screen and the pentaprism surface which is adjacent to the focusing screen are cleaned during the CLA (which they usually do as part of the CLA, but explicit request would ensure this is done!).

[Roundabout]

Thanks.

Yep, it seems impossibe to get to the viewfinder without undoing screws, as far as I can see.